LSM

M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter

The only HPHT dynamic linear swell meter currently made in the USA
The M4600 HPHT Dynamic Linear Swell Meter is the only LSM in the world capable of high-pressure, high- temperature dynamic test operations. The patented design of the M4600 hardware allows core samples to expand in only one direction, making test results extremely repeatable.

Engineered to achieve highly repeatable test results
The Grace Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter is an automated, dual core, high pressure and high temperature linear swell meter (up to 2,000 psi and 500°F). It is engineered to measure the volumetric expansion (or contraction) of a core/wafer sample under simulated downhole conditions while saturating it with a drilling fluid sample.

The Grace Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter provides the most repeatable test results on the market today. It is the only HPHT linear swell meter available that is manufactured in the United States, and it has been designed specifically so that operation is both fast and easy. Quick sample loading and hardware setup optimize the testing process time.

Supplementary Dual Core/Wafer Compactor is available
The M4600 is also available with a dual core/wafer compactor so that drill cuttings, or other solids, can be compressed into a self-adhering core/wafer and tested in the M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter. Measuring the expansion (or contraction) of actual down-hole cuttings under HPHT conditions will yield data that is far more representative of downhole engineering applications than atmospheric testing alone. This allows researchers to design better fluids, project managers and technicians to make better fluid selection decisions, and QA personnel to identify potential problems with fluid and downhole solids interactions.

The M4600 includes M4600daq software for data acquisition. Test data collection can be customized in order to evaluate volumetric sample changes over various time quantities, and real-time data is displayed along with customized charts during the course of a test. Test data is easily exported into Microsoft Excel for report generating either during a test or after a test is completed.

Complimentary 2,850 psi hand pump is included with each compactor.

Unit Specifications:

US Patent: 8,434,355
US Patent: 8,443,661
Dimensions: 21" height x 20" width x 14" depth
Weight: 55 lbs.
Temperature Range: Ambient to 500°F (260°C)
Pressure Range: Atm. to 2,000 psi
Pressure Supply: Nitrogen Atm. to 2,000 psi
Core/Wafer diameter: 1.00 inch
Core/Wafer length: 0.4 to 1.00 inch
Maximum linear displacement: ± 0.6 inches
Linear resolution: 0.1% of full scale range
Power Supply: 110-120V AC (220-240V AC with Step-Down Transformer, Supplied if Required)
Frequency: 50-60 Hz
Power: 600 W
Computer Requirements: PC with MS Windows 9X/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/10/11

Supplementary Dual Core/Wafer Compactor Specifications:

Pellet Compacting Force: 10,623 lbs. at 2,000 psi Source Pressure

Pellet size is 1.0" OD.

To compact at 10,000 psi on pellet, set compactor gauge pressure to 1,478 psi.
Included: Complimentary 2,850 psi Hand Pump
The M4600 is engineered for HPHT laboratory testing of solids and fluids interactions:

  • Allows core samples to expand in only one direction, making test results extremely repeatable.
  • High temperature testing, even through prolonged salinity.
  • Available with Dual Core/Wafer Compactor.
  • Quick sample loading and simple test setup.
  • Customizable charts and real-time data are displayed during tests.
Downloads for the M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter:

Read more about our instrument's technical applications within these scientific and academic publications:

  1. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Volume 208, Part D, January 2022, 109-618 2022
    Sulfonated Lignin Modified with Silane Coupling Agent as Biodegradable Shale Inhibitor in Water-Based Drilling Fluid
    Linear swell rate was recorded from contact between a round cake and testing fluid using a M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920410521012535

  2. Applied Clay Science, Volume 185, February 2020, 105-315 2020
    Inhibition performance of amidocyanogen silanol in water-based drilling fluid
    Study to determine the effect of IFT reduction and wettability alteration on the performance of surfactant based EOR in UORs. M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter was used to determine linear swelling rates of pristine sodium montmorillonite (Mt.) in water and inhibitor solutions.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169131719303734

  3. Applied Clay Science, Volume 184, January 2020, 105-396 2020
    Amidocyanogen Silanol as a High Temperature-Resistant Shale Inhibitor in Water-Based Drilling Fluid
    Linear swelling rates of Na-Mt in water and inhibitor solutions were determined with a M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter from Grace Instruments to simulate the environment in which the rock in formation is immersed in drilling fluid.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169131719304545

  4. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Volume 182, November 2019, 106-333 2019
    Hyperbranched polyethylenimine modified with silane coupling agent as shale inhibitor for water-based drilling fluids
    IFT was measured between equilibrated samples of excess oil and excess aqueous phase from various samples of crude oil and brine solution retrieved from a targeted reservoir.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920410519307545

  5. E3S Web of Conference 71, 00013 2018
    Drilling mud with addition of new hydration inhibitor for clay rocks
    Linear swell tests have been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter. Samples of powdered rock (Miocene shale) with weight of about 11 grams were placed in M4600 Dual Core/Wafer Compactor cells and have been pressurized at 2500 psi for 60 minutes. Pellets obtained that way were placed in GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter measuring cells which were subsequently immersed in studied fluid. Test of swelling was conducted for 6h under 20°C temperature and atmospheric pressure.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20187100013

  6. OMAE2017-61476 2017
    New Drilling Muds for Drilling in Clay rocks
    Linear swell tests have been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter. Samples of powdered rock (Miocene shale) with weight of about 11.5 gram were placed in M4600 Dual Core/Wafer Compactor cells and have been pressurized at 2500 psi for 60 minutes. Pellets obtained that way were placed/putted into GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter measuring cells which were subsequently immersed in studied fluid. Test of swelling was conducted for 6h under 30°C temperature and atmospheric pressure.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2017-61476

  7. AGH DRILLING, OIL, GAS : Vol. 34, No. 2 2017
    Influence of ionic hydration inhibitors on triple inhibition system mud properties – clay rock swelling
    Linear swelling tests have been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2017.34.2.629

  8. AGH DRILLING, OIL, GAS : Vol. 33, No. 4 2016
    New mud for hydrogeological drilling
    Linear swelling tests have been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2016.33.4.819

  9. AGH DRILLING, OIL, GAS : Vol. 33, No. 4 2016
    New mud for underbalanced drilling
    Linear swelling tests have been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2016.33.4.801

  10. AGH DRILLING, OIL, GAS : Vol. 33, No. 3 2016
    Influence of Ionic Hydration Inhibitors on Dual Inhibitor system mud properties – Techological parameters
    Studies with ionic hydrogen inhibitors were applied to Mud-0 compartiave without ionic inhibitors. The influence of non-ionic hydration inhibitor on rheoligical properties, filtration, lubrcity coefficient and density of the test mud were examined. Also, the infleunce of Mud on Pellets swelling and linear swelling were also measured. LST tests were done by Grace M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2016.33.3.629

  11. AGH DRILLING, OIL, GAS : Vol. 33, No. 2 2016
    Influence of Ionic Hydration’s inhibitors on swelling of Clays and Shales
    Swelling test for the influence of ionic inhibitors of hydrogen on clay formation was done with the Grace Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2016.33.2.471

  12. AGH Drilling, Oil, Gas • Vol. 32 • No. 4 • 2015
    Linear Swelling Test (LST) Of Clay Formation Under The Influence Of Newly Developed Drilling Fluids With The Addition Of Cationic Polymers
    A linear swelling test has been achieved with GRACE Instrument M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter (Fig. 1). The apparatus is capable of high temperature (up to 500F) and high pressure (up to 2000psi) measurement of linear swelling of the formation (LST – Linear Swelling Test) in both static and dynamic conditions.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2015.32.4.693

  13. AGH Drilling, Oil, Gas • Vol. 32 • No. 3 • 2015
    Drilling Mud For Shale Gas Drilling
    The Miocene shale swelling test was carried out using Grace M4600 HPHT Dynamic Linear Swell Meter.
    http://dx.doi.org/10.7494/drill.2015.32.3.503

  14. Applied Clay Science: Volume 108 2015
    Water Activity Characteristics of Deep Brittle Shale from Southwest China
    Investigation of water activity in deep brittle shale from Sichuan Basin and its impact on the physical and mechanical properties of the rock including uniaxial compressive strength. The swell ratio was determined with M4600 HTHP Linear Swell Meter.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169131715000654

Watch the M4600 HPHT Linear Swell Meter video presentation:

SEE THE M4600 VIDEO HERE